40% of highly-educated interviewed visually impaired  faced different challenges from job

The Hong Kong Society for the Blind (HKSB), Lions Clubs International District 303 - Hong Kong & Macao, China (Lions Club) and Cimigo Limited co-organized a vision education programme, the programme started from December 2017, The first part of the programme is doing a research, Cimigo has interviewed both the visually impaired persons and general public  to compare the research results among the them in same age group. The results shown that the biggest life challenge of the visually impaired is getting a job. They have to face more obstacles and higher pressure on job hunting and career development than the normal people. The visually impaired interviewees mentioned that because of limited selection of subjects to be selected for studying, the choices of job are limited too. 40% of interviewed visually impaired with highly education level  indicated that,  it is difficult for them to find a job or develop their career path, moreover, many employers are not willing to hire visually impaired persons even they have high education lever or relevant workingexperiences.

Promote vision education to more than 12,000 public, included employers, teenagers and students

The second part of the programme is to conduct experiential public education. HKSB and Lions Club designed a series of simulation goggles to allow the public to experience how different eye diseases affect daily life, such as Glaucoma, Maculopathy, Colour Deficiency, Diabetic Retinopathy and Cataract. In the past six months, more than 40 educational talks and activities have been organized, attracted more than 12,000 public to participate.

Supplementary information:

There are many supporting services or funding for the employers to employ visually impaired persons, such as Career Support and Development Centre under HKSB, we provide talk to the employers of a company on how to communicate or work with a visually impaired colleague. In addition, employer would apply “Support Programme for Employees with Disabilities” operated by Social Welfare Department, to get a one-off subsidy in respect of each employee with disabilities for purchasing assistive devices and/or workplace modifications.

Mr Caspar Tsui, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare (middle) attended as officiating guest

Visually impaired persons Winnie (left) and Merrick (right) shared the difficulties they faced in daily life and work place

The programme aims to promote vision education